A Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) must be applied for in advance - go to https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en
This replaces the e-Visa. See Immigration for more details.
If clearing into the country at Kilifi, please advise the boatyard of your intended arrival. See Kilifi Clearance for more details.
Clear in to Kenya in either Shimoni or Kilifi, as they are geared to facilitate yachts. Do not attempt to clear in at Mombasa as this is consistently problematic. Kilifi Boatyard (owner Peter Bateman) are extremely helpful to visiting cruisers.
On approach, call Port Control on VHF channel 16. Fly the yellow Q flag.
In all ports report first to Port Health and do not get off the boat until given free practique by Port Health.
You will also need to see Kenya Revenue Authority (Customs) and then lastly Immigration.
Submit your exit documents from your previous port (Transhire if coming from Tanzania).
Wait for officials to visit the boat first.
Remember: It is no longer possible to apply for a visa on arrival. All visas must be applied for and secured prior to arrival in Kenya. See Immigration for details.
In order to move around in East Africa from port to port and between member states of East Africa, you need to move with a Transhire document (C27 or C31). This can be obtained from Customs (Kenya Revenue Services - KRS) on arrival - and must be handed in before departing for another port so another Transhire can be issued. If you don't get one, you will have problems as you visit other ports within the country. The Transhire, however, is not a requirement when traveling within the same county jurisdiction (i.e between Watamu and Kilifi) as they are both in Kilifi county. Sailing from Lamu south without a Transhire is an invitation for problems.
Visit first Customs, Immigration followed by Port Health. Customs will issue a Transhire for your next international port.
Port Health will issue a ships port health clearance certificate.
Due to concerns over a multi-country outbreak of Cholera in Indian Ocean countries, Madagscar has closed to foreign yachts coming from Kenya until further notice (August 2024).
Last updated: August 2024
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